Sail Townsville - a little bit of r & r

The first event in Sail Townsville 2013, was the Queensland Tasar (doubled handed dinghy) Championships sailed out of Townsville Sailing Club over the weekend.

Home Hill sugar cane farmer Aaron Linton, a well know FNQ sailor, the pre-event favourite has sailed in three Tasar Australian championships, he has finished second twice and third.

He took the lead from the 14 boat fleet on Saturdayon Cleveland Bay with two wins and a second, with crew Hannah O´Brien.

But the family was close at hand Linton´s younger sister Renee Cordingly sailing with husband Robert, also from Home Hill, had strong upwind speed and finished the day with a win and to seconds.

In two of the three Sunday morning races, Aaron was buried in the pack and Renee grabbed seconds and a final win. As a result both brother and sister finishing the regatta on eight points.

Renee Cordingly and Aaron Linton (sister and brother)

Sail Townsville Media

The Queensland championship was decided on a count back, with the last race winner, the little Tasar called ‘a bit of r & r’ (Renee and Robert) taking the title.

Renee commented, 'It was a fun regatta, very close racing. I´ve been sailing since I was eight, in Sabot dinghy's then into the two person Tasar, as crew. A few years ago I said to my husband Robert, let’s buy a Tasar so we can sail together.

'This is our best result, we only went to last year’s Australian Championships and we were placed 14th but I was third female skipper.

'We won the Townsville Sprint series earlier this year. Looking ahead we are tracking towards the Tasar World Championships in Perth in 2015.'